Lockheed's Next-Gen OPIR Block 0 GEO satellites pass critical design review

By Courtney Albon / November 23, 2021 at 10:28 AM

The Space Force has signed off on a critical design review for Block 0 of the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared geosynchronous Earth orbit program, prime contractor Lockheed Martin announced today.

The company said in a press release today the program, which will eventually replace the Space-Based Infrared System constellation with improved warning capabilities and resiliency, is making good progress toward its planned 2025 launch date.

“Our adversaries are finding ways to make missile warning more difficult. They are also posing threats to space assets themselves,” Joseph Rickers, Lockheed Martin vice president and program manager for NGG Block 0, said in the release. “NGG was specifically designed as a ‘Go Fast’ program to maintain and grow our nation’s advanced technology edge ahead of the threat.”

The Block 0 CDR occurred Oct. 28 and focused on space and ground segment integration as well as integration between the program’s interim operations ground system and the legacy missile-warning system.

The system-level CDR follows two successful payload design reviews this summer. Raytheon and a Ball Aerospace and Northrop Grumman team are competing to provide the Block 0 payloads.

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